RECAP: AN EVENING OF HOPE IN VANCOUVER

On October 19, 2017 OMID’s first fundraising and auction event in Vancouver took place at Livingspace with over 140 attendees. The event was MC’d by Carmen Ruiz y Laza from Joy TV and Hugh Bulmer of Maynards’ Fine Arts performed the live auction. The evening started off with a live performance of an Iranian choir Hoor-Ava (below), consisting of 16 members, 3 musicians and a solo singer,. The ensemble performed a repertoire of folklore and pop classics.

Once again OMID Founder Marjaneh Halati touched everyone’s heart with her moving and inspirational speech. She elaborated on the work that OMID does for the young women whose hearts and souls, whose spirits have been shattered by the very people who were meant to love and care for them. Marjaneh further expanded on the vision of OMID foundation as not only to teach skills or educate but to create a generation of independent minded and inspired young women with the tools to challenge inequality, discrimination and a patriarchal power structure that had generation after generation of women traditionally in a perpetual cycle of denied rights. Some of the young women’s stories were shared with the guests who were brought to tears by all of the stories.

The evening continued with live auction for the girls’ education, which raised funds beyond the Vancouver committee’s expectations, for 12 scholarships for graduates of the OMID program. Live music closed the evening.

We are indebted to the dedicated committee members, volunteers and sponsors, without their support and commitment the success of this event was not possible, this was a collective work of a group of believers in OMID’s mission. We are especially indebted to Zohreh Waibel and Mana Jalilian.